Tell me about CSA rifles

DaveMachine

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I'm interested in the VZ58 at the moment so I've been doing some research on the CSA line of rifles and I was hoping to get some input from people have or do currently own them.

I quite like the platform as the CZ858 I sold years ago was light and well balanced in my opinion. I'm not set on a calibre at the moment as each have their merits; I'm set up for .223/5.56 at the moment - mags, dies, tons of brass and lots of ammo - not to mention that the quality of most 5.56 ammo is better than 7.62x39 in general which means better accuracy. On the other hand, 7.62x39 is ridiculously cheap and can be used for hunting where I live. I'd like something non-restricted initially, possibly buying a short barreled version down the road. I intend to mount magnified optics later on - some sort of short scope that can be mounted to a dust cover that does not sit over the ejection port. But most of all I want a rifle that is going to be reliable, which is why I am starting this thread.

From what I understand, the CSA line of rifles has had its fair share of problems, which from what I can tell, have been limited mostly to the 5.56 versions. During the time I've been researching these rifles I've come across things like broken bolts, broken strikers, broken firing pins, broken gas pistons, and oversized gas ports. With that said, it seems as though CSA has done a decent job at remedying these issues with good customer service to repair and replace broken rifles.

My question is though, has CSA addressed these issues in their most recent batch of production? Should I feel confident that I won't get a lemon if I purchase a rifle in either calibre?

Your thoughts on the matter would be welcome!

(my apologies if this has already been discussed)
 
From what was mentioned on CN previously, I think it is unknown if CSA knows the serial numbers of the rifles with the bad gas blocks. As they didn't release anything addressing that, it is perhaps likely that they don't know which ones got the bad gas blocks. In that case it would be possible that a CSA rifle bought new might be one with a problem, but it's not likely. Perhaps you could check the gas ports to make sure they match specs before purchasing? Or just watch how far it's ejecting for the first couple mags, if you spot a problem you can stop before breaking the bolt. CSA stands behind their stuff, so I wouldn't be too worried.
 
I love my VZ-58 in 7.62...and in fact, used it for an (unsuccessful) deer hunt this past fall. Although here we must use soft point ammo...not the cheap surplus stuff...for hunting.

I hunt in fairly dense areas, shooting lanes to a bait station, and so I was going with iron sights. I am not sure if there is a good dust cover replacement that would make a good scope mount? I haven't really looked though...the longest shot at any of my lanes is under 75 yards. I have seen optics mounted on the front of these rifles, but mostly red dots.
Mine's the "sporter" version and has no mounts/rails. That's how I like it.

Have maybe 300 rounds of surplus through at the range over the past year or so, no problems yet, knock on wood. I must say, it feels a bit different carrying this thing in the woods - especially as I have put on a folder.

It is, overall, a very small rifle...even the NR version.
 
Yes, I think I do remember that thread...
Those optics are worth a pretty penny though. Not sure if I could justify that, given my 100yard max shooting range, and 50 yard hunting shots!
I'm thinking the railed dust cover wasn't cheap either?
Corwin Arms is a good shop for VZ parts though - I got a new handgrip there. The Sporter's grip was a bit small, I found. And I got one of their muzzle brakes too now that I think of it. Good solid parts.

But definitely a couple of cool setups there.
I couldn't bear a Restricted VZ though...in a way, it defeats the whole purpose of that rifle, especially with those optics...just IMO.
Of course, I also don't have an RPAL, lol...so that helps me decide!

Good luck on your choice...
 
I guess this is more of a bump than an answer to the OP's question, but have the bugs been ironed out of the 5.56/.223 versions?
 
I got it from Kelly's. That was about 4 weeks ago not sure on their stock now. Their web sight says there getting more chrome lined ones in may.
 
@davemachine... il give you my personal opinion. I am a member of a range here in Montréal and i go often and once a while check what they have on the NR gun rack and this rifle came to my eye i held it for there first time and the feel was just great, i loved the slim slick fit in my hands and liked that the ejection port was HUGE! i kept going back and back to that CSA! and after the third time holding it i bought it. I did pay 908$ for it and personally it was in my budget! i right away starting shooting with it with the iron sights and loved the accuracy, feel and look. i must say my rifle was branded (13) which apparently has a bad gas porting issue. so i got into contact with movie arms in toronto which does all the warranty work for CSA here in canada, emailed them on a monday and it was out a tuesday, took them 2 weeks (not to mention they give you a free magazine) once your firearm comes back from warranty, as an apology due to your firearm being broken. I took it to the range a few time since and have fired atleast 150 rds and no issue since. much less kick and brass not going so far! during the time it was gone i had purchased some optic mount for it that being the quick detach scope mount i wanted to be able to go from a red dot back to the iron sights without a hassle. I put a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot on it and personally very satisfied with this result. all in all, this is a great rifle and i would definitely reccomend it to you!


here is a picture of my sight in with my red dot at 25 yards.

and here is my rifle itself. (only thing missing is my new tan fab defense grip)



 
@ Ronsse610, did your rifle break, or did they repair it as a preventative measure?

And what make of mounting rail is that? Is that from Corwin Arms? Was that put on by a gunsmith?

thx

apparently i had a gas porting issue thus ejecting my brass 10 ft into the air and pushing bolt carrier back so hard that it was damaging my striker, found that out when i cleaned it out one night after the range when my striker was cracked. (so yes it did break)

and my mount is from wolverine sups its the CSA VZ quick detachable mount, no gunsmithing required and very easy to instal!
 
I have a buddy who was raving about his CSA in 7.62x39, until today when he conceded that it broke down and will not function properly. Off to Movie Arms. Let's just say, he is not pleased :mad: . CZ's never had the problems that the new CSA's are plagued with, other than the rare but user fixable - trigger gremlin. I was interested in buying one until I read about all the problems with them. I'll wait until the new production receiver CZ958 comes out... definitely no guarantee that will be problem free as well.

Just wish we had more options for VZ58 rifles right now. Unfortunately, we don't. Really like my FSN, that has been great. Can't find them anymore, just on the used market.
 
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